From Classroom to Boardroom: Equipping Nigerian Students for Future Employment Challenges

 

Decades after independence, Nigeria's education system remains shackled by a colonial legacy that glorifies white-collar jobs at the expense of blue-collar professions. Designed originally to produce clerks and administrators for colonial governance, this system has barely evolved, leaving graduates ill-prepared for the realities of today’s dynamic job market. With youth unemployment at 53.4% in Q4 2022 according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and global trends demanding innovative, entrepreneurial, and digitally skilled professionals, Nigeria’s educational institutions must bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace readiness. The preference for white-collar jobs stems from a deep-seated colonial mentality that persists in Nigerian society. A 2022 survey revealed that 32% of Nigerian graduates aspire to public sector roles, often disregarding technical or entrepreneurial career paths. Degrees in law, political science, and public administration dominate enrollment in universities, fueled by societal prestige associated with government employment. This has resulted in a 60% importation of skilled labor for technical jobs like construction and engineering, as reported by the International Labour Organization (ILO). An illustrative example can be found in the construction sector, where foreign workers from China and India often fill roles due to a lack of skilled Nigerian artisans. This scenario contrasts sharply with countries like Germany, where the Dual Education System integrates blue-collar professions into mainstream economic planning, offering apprenticeships that ensure employability and respectability for technical careers.

The Divide: Public vs. Private Universities

Private universities in Nigeria, such as Covenant University and the American University of Nigeria (AUN), exemplify the transformative potential of modern education. Their innovative models, cutting-edge infrastructure, and alignment with global best practices stand out. However, these examples do not represent all private universities in Nigeria, as many others lack the resources, organizational strength, and vision to deliver comparable outcomes. Likewise, it is important to note that this discussion does not imply that private universities are inherently superior to public ones. Nigeria’s public universities, despite their challenges, cater to the majority of students, serve as the backbone of the nation’s education system, and house some of the brightest minds in academia. That said, to critically analyze the dynamics, this piece identifies five key areas of divide between public and private universities. These areas underscore significant differences in how these institutions prepare students for future employment, while also providing actionable insights for bridging the gap:

(i) Curriculum and industry alignment

Private universities align their curricula with industry demands. Covenant University integrates entrepreneurship, ICT, and leadership training as core components of their programs, producing job-ready graduates, in fact, they are trained to be innovative job creators. For instance, Covenant alumni like Ezra Olubi, co-founder of Paystack, have thrived due to the institution’s emphasis on practical, innovative skills. In contrast, public universities often lag in updating their curricula. A National Universities Commission (NUC) report found that less than 30% of public institutions revise their syllabi every five years. This has resulted in a widening skills gap between graduates and employers’ needs. Hence, most of our graduates are unemployable.  Public institutions must emulate private universities by partnering with industry stakeholders to design programs that prioritize emerging fields like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and digital marketing.

(ii) Internship and career services

Robust internship programs are another hallmark of private universities. AUN mandates internships for all students, connecting them to top employers like Microsoft and Shell. This approach ensures graduates gain practical experience before entering the job market.
In public universities, however, internships are often optional and poorly coordinated. According to a Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) report, 70% of Nigerian graduates lack practical experience, a major barrier to employment. Adopting a model like Germany's apprenticeship system, where students alternate between classroom learning and hands-on work, could significantly improve employability.

(iii) The role of infrastructure and learning environment

The learning environment plays a pivotal role in shaping student outcomes. Private universities boast state-of-the-art facilities, with AUN providing world-class ICT labs, libraries, and lecture halls. Covenant University in addition to the world-class facilities, enjoys a 24-hour stable power supply. These amenities foster innovation, critical thinking, and a conducive atmosphere for learning. Public universities, however, face stark challenges. In 2023, ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) reported that over 40% of public university classrooms lacked basic teaching aids. For instance, a friend in a certain university recently conducted a class of over 600 students in a space designed for 480, with no public address system, no air conditioning, and no projector, a common scenario in many institutions. Increased government funding and partnerships with private organizations could address these deficiencies. For example, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is changing the narrative in both state and federal universities by successfully funding massive projects. However, more needs to be done to scale up efforts to modernize classrooms, libraries, and laboratories across public institutions.

(iv) Emphasis on soft skills and entrepreneurship

Employers today prioritize soft skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability alongside technical expertise. Covenant University incorporates leadership programs and community development projects to develop these qualities. According to a 2021 Jobberman Nigeria report, 48% of employers cited poor communication skills as a major issue among job applicants, a gap private universities actively address. Entrepreneurship is another critical area where private institutions excel. Covenant University’s HUB for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (HIED) has supported student-led startups, including Paystack cited earlier, which was acquired by Stripe for over $200 million. Public universities, though making strides through initiatives like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED), still lack consistency and comprehensive frameworks. There is a need to rethink how these programs are implemented across public institutions to get the best out of them.

(v) Addressing strikes and institutional discipline

Private universities maintain strict academic calendars, ensuring students graduate on time. For example, Covenant University enforces a four-year graduation timeline, whereas public universities often extend programs by years due to frequent ASUU strikes. These disruptions erode skills and diminish motivation, with many students graduating long after their peers in private institutions. Addressing this issue requires collaborative efforts between the government and unions to resolve grievances and ensure stability in the academic calendar.

A Path Forward

To bridge the gap between classroom learning and workforce requirements, Nigerian public universities must adopt innovative strategies, borrowing best practices from private institutions. Key reforms include: Updating curricula to reflect industry trends; establishing structured internship programs with corporate partnerships; prioritizing infrastructure upgrades through public-private collaborations; embedding entrepreneurship and soft skills training into academic programs; and resolving labor disputes to maintain uninterrupted academic sessions. By transforming their approach, public universities can produce graduates equipped to navigate the challenges of the 21st-century job market, ensuring a brighter future for Nigeria's youth and economy.

S.B. Adams writes from Gombe State.

References

National Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Unemployment and Underemployment Report.

Jobberman Nigeria. (2021). Soft Skills Survey Report.

Nigerian Economic Summit Group. (2021). Bridging the Skills Gap in Nigeria.

Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). (2023). State of Nigerian Universities Infrastructure.

Covenant University. (2023). Programs and Partnerships Overview.

International Labour Organization (ILO), 2022

National Universities Commission (NUC), 2022